IGHSAU- The Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union will somehow be making high school state tournament softball more exciting with the latest announcement that the 2026 State Softball Tournament will be moving to a double-elimination format.
“Anyone that has watched the Softball College World Series knows how exciting the double-elimination format is,” said IGHSAU Executive Director Erin Gerlich.
The move coincides with Fort Dodge’s investment towards renovating Harlan and Hazel Rogers Park to include five championship fields, press box accommodations for the fields, and additional parking.
The double-elimination tournament will still be a five-day tournament with single-game championships played on Thursday and Friday for all five classes. The formal schedule has yet to be finalized but all games, sans championship, will continue to be streamed.